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CPHC Statement on UK withdrawal from the EU

The Council of Professors and Heads of Computing (CPHC) has issued the following statement on the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union

CPHC Statement on UK withdrawal from the European Union

Before last week’s referendum, commentators expressed serious concerns about the impact of the UK withdrawal from the EU, and the inevitable uncertainty leading up to it, on the UK’s academic and industrial computer science sectors. CPHC believes it is vital that withdrawal negotiations are based on the best possible information about the current state of the various sectors and what is at stake under various options. The withdrawal of the UK from the Union could have a potentially profound impact on UK Computer Science education, research and industry. CPHC recognises that the referendum was the first step in a potential withdrawal from the EU, and that many discussions, decisions and negotiations are required before any exit is complete, indeed before Article 50 is even invoked. We aim to contribute to the information that will form the basis of any discussions and below we provide an overview of the potential impact of UK withdrawal, issues to be considered in any post-exit plan, and issues to consider in withdrawal negotiations.

Potential Impact

The UK technology sector could be significantly affected by the withdrawal. A number of international companies have explicitly located R&D bases in the UK. It is entirely feasible that we could see these companies move facilities to elsewhere in Europe; reversing such moves would be very difficult once enacted.

The UK HE system relies heavily on students from the EU (but outside of the UK). This provides a rich educational experience for all students, including those from the UK. After withdrawal it is likely that we will see significant reductions in the number of students studying Computer Science in the UK. Equally, the opportunity for people from the UK, whether enrolled at a UK HEI or not, to study within the EU will also be diminished.

UK Computer Science will have issues in retaining and recruiting academic and research staff.

It is possible that there will be a withdrawal of European Union funding for UK research, in an area where the UK wins more than the government contributes.

Issues to be considered in the UK post-exit plan

How will we continue to make the UK an attractive base for the R&D of international companies to ensure the UK remains an innovator in technology, building on recent improved perceptions of the value of technology?

How will we ensure that we have the ability to attract and retain outstanding international educators and researchers?

How will the financial and experiential impact on UK Computer Science Education, caused by reductions in non-UK EU students, be managed?

How can we ensure the availability of funding from the UK Government to cover the removal of or reduction in EU research funding, to prevent the UK falling behind in Computer Science Research?

Issues for negotiation on UK withdrawal

The UK is able to recruit the brightest talent to maintain its position as a leading hub for technology R&D and Computer Science Education and Research.

The UK is still able to participate in EU research funding, in a manner similar to Norway.

The UK is able to effectively undertake collaborative research and teaching through ease of movement of scholars and students, on short and medium term visits.

Professor Carsten Maple, Chair of the Council of Professors and Heads of Computing and Professor of Cyber Systems Engineering, WMG, University of Warwick